Persistent rain poses risk to cereal harvests in Baden
In Baden, Germany, the ongoing harvest season is facing challenges due to persistent rain, according to the Baden Agricultural Main Association. Particularly affected are higher elevation areas, such as the Baar, Hegau, and Lake Constance region, where only 10 to 30 percent of the areas have been harvested so far.
The wet weather conditions are causing volunteer cereals to spread, and important follow-up work such as stubble management is being delayed. This delay could have long-term impacts on the soil health and productivity. The grain is starting to germinate before harvest, leading to a loss of baking quality and decreasing market value.
Wheat, rye, and oats are showing signs of sprouting, and the protein content and falling numbers are decreasing, which is particularly problematic for bread wheat. Weeds are also spreading due to the wet conditions, potentially affecting future crops.
Hail damage is exacerbating the situation in Baden's agriculture. While corn, soybeans, and grassland are benefiting from the wet weather, crops like wheat and rapeseed are suffering from quality losses.
Research indicates that hydrometeorological extremes, including droughts and heavy rains, can have significant effects on crop yields and agriculture revenue in Germany. While winter-grown crops like wheat are less affected by such extremes compared to summer crops during drought conditions, they still experience some losses due to harvest delays, quality reduction, and increased disease pressure.
Despite the challenges, farmers are hoping for stable weather to complete the harvest and minimise losses. However, each additional rainy day threatens the quality in the affected regions, making it crucial to monitor the situation closely.
For detailed, up-to-date information specifically about the impacts of persistent rain in Baden's 2025 harvest, including quantitative loss estimates or ongoing mitigation responses, consulting local agricultural reports, regional weather services, or recent news coverage would be necessary.
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The persistent rain is leading to volunteer cereals spreading, causing issues with stubble management and potentially long-term impacts on soil health and productivity. Moreover, the wet weather conditions are encouraging weeds to spread, which could impact future crops.
